The ministers of Foreign Affairs of Angola, Manuel Augusto, and Brazil, Ernesto Araújo, met at the Itamaraty Palace, Brasília, capital of the country, continuing to establish priorities, both in relation to both territories and in relation to to the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).
"Cooperation and investments in agriculture and agribusiness are, perhaps, a key area for a renewal and creation of a new chapter in the Brazil-Angola partnership. It is an investment, technology and trade opportunity, taking into account all opportunities that Angola represents, as a country that has as priority the increase of agricultural production and food security, as well as the capacities that Brazil is known to have developed in this area ", Ernesto Araújo told the press.
Legal cooperation was also mentioned by the Brazilian diplomat, who pointed out Brazil's experience in asset recovery, one of Angola's interests.
"We also talked about legal cooperation, (...) about Angola's interest in cooperation to fight corruption, specifically for asset recovery, for example, which is an area in which Brazil has become a reference thanks to to all the assets that we have already managed to recover in that context ", advocated the government official.
In the Defense area, naval cooperation between the Brazilian and Angolan navies was deepened: “We approached Angola's training projects in this area with great attention and interest, and Brazil is absolutely ready to collaborate”, stressed Ernesto Araújo.
The Brazilian minister also pointed out that there is a deep Brazilian interest in getting closer to the African Union, underlining his interest in participating in the African free trade zone.
"I would like to emphasize the deep Brazilian interest in an operation with Africa, as a whole, especially through the African Union. We are very much counting on our friendship and partnership with Angola, as a channel for this objective. We need to pay extra attention to the immense opportunities that there, which are generated by African integration, for example, the creation of an African free trade zone", said Ernesto Araújo.
"Brazil wants to examine what are the possibilities for it to be associated, in some way, with this process of integration in African territory. We want a greater political dialogue. (...) More generally, we want to work in this sphere of the free There is a deep movement in Africa in this direction, and we want to see what mechanisms could be found for Brazil to be part of this impulse of African integration", added the minister.
On the other hand, the Brazilian Government is willing to become a partner of Angola with regard to the country's presence in South America.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manuel Augusto, underlined that his current visit to Brazil was boosted by the settlement, last December, of the debt of almost 589 million dollars to Brazil.
"My visit takes place at a time when a factor could help in the future of our cooperation, which has to do with our financial relations. It is said that good accounts make good friends and it is with great satisfaction that Angola, in the end last year, it paid off the debt of three financial credits it owed to Brazil", said the minister.
This payment was made "in a clear intention of, using a Brazilian term, 'clearing the accounts', if it could" move on to a new framework of economic relationship, envisaged by each of the governments and based on the recognition of the great potential that exists between both countries”, added Manuel Augusto.
Also according to the minister, his visit to Brazil is part of the "preparation that Angola is making for the assumption of the presidency of the CPLP, which will take place next September", and for which the African State wants to "exchange ideas with other countries- members of the community”, so that the presidency“ can correspond, not only to the wishes of the Government and the Angolan people, but also to the expectations of the Lusophone community in general".
